Journal of Applied Entomology (2004) 128, 691-695

Omkar, A. Pervez and A.K. Gupta (2004)
Role of surface chemicals in egg cannibalism and intraguild predation by neonates of two aphidophagous ladybirds, Propylea dissecta and Coccinella transversalis
Journal of Applied Entomology 128 (9-10), 691-695
Abstract: The role of surface chemicals in egg cannibalism and intraguild predation by neonates of two aphidophagous ladybirds, Propylea dissecta and Coccinella transversalis were examined. Neonates of both species prefer to eat non-sibling conspecific eggs than heterospecific eggs, with higher preference in P. dissecta. Surface chemicals appear to play a major role for the preference of conspecific eggs, as the ladybird behaviour was reversed when these chemicals were interchanged. The surface chemicals present on the eggs possibly act as feeding stimulants to conspecific neonates but not for heterospecific neonates. Egg clustering enhances the effect of surface chemical and stimulate non-sibling egg cannibalism and appears to reduce intraguild predation. Egg clustering is advantageous to ladybirds, as it can stimulate non-sibling cannibalism by neonates. It appears that aggregation of chemicals present on the conspecific egg surface possibly attracts the hungry conspecific neonate, providing the first meal for its survival, while protecting against heterospecific predators. Neonates of both ladybirds were reluctant to eat heterospecific eggs.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Omkar

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
environment/habitat manipulation

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
Propylea dissecta (predator)			India
Coccinella transversalis (predator)			India